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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

June 16, 1990 · Cessna 182E · N9244X

Newland, NC

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 16, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Newland, NC
Aircraft
Cessna 182E
Tail Number
N9244X
Operator
Elam Donald O
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL90FA132

THE INSTRUMENT RATED COMMERCIAL PILOT DEPARTED ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA FOR A VFR FLIGHT TO ROGERSVILLE, TENNESSEE. WITNESSES IN THE AREA REPORTED THAT THE WEATHER IN THE AREA OF THE ACCIDENT WAS LESS THAN THAT REQUIRED FOR FLIGHT UNDER VISUAL FLIGHT RULES. THE WITNESSES ALSO STATED THAT THE TOPS OF THE MOUNTAINS WERE OBSCURED IN HAZE AND CLOUDS. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO TREES NEAR THE TOP OF A MOUNTAIN. THE BREAKS IN THE TOP OF THE TREES SHOW THAT THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED IN A LEVEL ATTITUDE. THE WRECKAGE WAS SCATTERED OVER APPROXIMATELY 90 FEET.

NTSB Probable Cause

ATTEMPTED VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS.

Full Narrative

THE INSTRUMENT RATED COMMERCIAL PILOT DEPARTED ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA FOR A VFR FLIGHT TO ROGERSVILLE, TENNESSEE. WITNESSES IN THE AREA REPORTED THAT THE WEATHER IN THE AREA OF THE ACCIDENT WAS LESS THAN THAT REQUIRED FOR FLIGHT UNDER VISUAL FLIGHT RULES. THE WITNESSES ALSO STATED THAT THE TOPS OF THE MOUNTAINS WERE OBSCURED IN HAZE AND CLOUDS. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO TREES NEAR THE TOP OF A MOUNTAIN. THE BREAKS IN THE TOP OF THE TREES SHOW THAT THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED IN A LEVEL ATTITUDE. THE WRECKAGE WAS SCATTERED OVER APPROXIMATELY 90 FEET.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:30 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 182E
Tail NumberN9244X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorElam Donald O
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-R · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 53 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 3 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingOvercast 5000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data